Signalling device



y 1964 c. GEHLSEN 3,132,628

' SIGNALLING DEVICE Filed D60. 8, 1961 Jnventor: CARLl/E/NZ @z-WLsE/v 1M WIWV United States Patent 3,132,628 SIGNALLING DEVICE Carlheinz Gehlsen, Quinckestrasse 37, Heidelberg, Germany Filed Dec. 8, 196 1, Ser. No. 158,086 Claims priority, application Germany Dec. 9, 1960 3 Claims. (Cl. 116-432) This invention relates to signalling devices, and more particularly to an optical device for attracting attention.

It is not convenient and often not proper to attract the attentionof a waiter, of an auctioneer, or the like by conspicuous gestures; or by audible signals. Devices have been proposed for signalling such persons by electrically energized lights, and by relatively complex mechanical devices. These devices when permanently installed interfere with the normal maintenance operations of a restaurant or an auction room. When they are installed in such a manner. that they may readily be removed, they are lost to souvenir seekers and the like at a rate which is not usually tolerable.

The object of this invention is the provision of a signalling device which emits a readily discernible optical signal.

Another object is the provision of such a device which is simple in its mechanism and can be operated without requiring external energy sources.

Yet another object is the provision of a signalling device which can be made. so low in cost as to be expendable.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter more fully appear, and will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference is now made to the following description of preferred embodiments of my invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a signalling device of the invention in perspective view; and

FIG. 2 shows a modified signalling device in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1, there is seen a support member 1 of sheet material folded in such a manner that two rectangular parts in, 1b of the support member are joined edgewise and form a ridge 11 consisting of two thicknesses of sheet material partially adhered to each other. The free edges of the two parts which are parallel to the joined edges extend in a common plane so that the support member 1 may be placed on a table or the like with the ridge elongated parallel to the table, and the plane of support on the table defined by the free edges.

The ridge 11 has two openings 2, 3 along its top edge. Two signalling elements 45 are respectively inserted in the openings. The elements which also are of sheet material each have an elongated, approximately rectangular stem 4, and a free terminal portion of approximately circular shape, the diameter of the circle being greater than the width of the rectangle defined by the stem. The stems 4 are slidable in the respective openings 2, 3. In the inoperative position of the signalling element, the stem is confined between the two parts of the support member and between the two thicknesses of material in the ridge 11. Only the free terminal portion, which constitutes a minor portion of the signalling element, projects outward beyond the contour of the support member 1.

The signalling element may be shifted to its operative position, by grasping the terminal portion 5 and pulling the element in a direction upwardly away from the support member to the operative position shown on the left of FIG. 1. The friction between the stem 4 and the two thicknesses of material in the ridge 11 maintain the sig- "ice nalling element in its operative position against the force of gravity.

.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the two thicknesses of material in the ridge of a sup port member 1 are secured to each other by two tubular rivets 12, 13 at the ends of the elongated ridge. The rivets simultaneously serve as pivots for two signalling elements 14, 15 of identical elongated shape, one end portion of the elements 14, 15 being rotatably fastened to respective rivets 12, 13 on opposite sides of the ridge.

In their inoperative position, both elements 14, 15 are folded against respective sides of the ridge 11. In their operative position, they are erected and their free terminal portions are upwardly spaced from the ridge 11. Friction at the pivots maintains the elements 14, 15 in their opera tive and inoperative positions.

If the height of the support member 1' from the plane of support to the top of the ridge 11 is approximately four to six inches, and the signalling elements are of similar length, a terminal portion of a signalling element in its operative position is readily spotted from an appreciable distance. To improve visibility, I prefer to make at least the therminal portion of the signalling elements of a bright color.

When more than one signalling element is provided as in the examples illustrated, the two elements are preferably of contrasting colors, for example, red and green. Two elements of different color permit at least three different optical signals to be displayed, namely red, green, and red plus green. Reversal of the entire device permits each color to be displayed either left or right relative to an observer, and three additional signal combinations are available thereby with extremely simple means.

The signalling device of my invention may be made of inexpensive cardboard which may be printed upon or coated in a conventional manner. Plastic or metal sheet material may be preferred where extremely low cost is not a necessity. Where the sheet material is of sufiicient rigidity, an adhesive bond between the two layers of material in the ridge 11 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1

may be dispensed with Without altering the appearance or function of the device.

The sloping outer faces of the support member 1 may carry printed information on the signalling code to be employed in using the device, but it may also carry other messages relevant to the operation in which the signalling device serves an auxiliary function.

While a support member of triangular cross section has been illustrated for its simplicity, more elaborate shapes can obviously be given to the support member without prohibitively increasing its cost. It is most economical to make the support member as well as the signalling ele ments of fiat sheet stock, but the invention is not limited to exclusive use of sheet material members.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What I claim is:

1. A signalling device comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member of sheet material having two rigidly connected parts,

(1) each part having two edge portions elongated in a common direction,

(2) one edge portion of each part being joined to a corresponding edge portion of the other part to constitute an elongated ridge therewith,

(3) the respective other edge portions of said parts being spaced apart in a direction transverse of the direction of elongation thereof and jointly defining a plane of support extending in the direction of elongation of said ridge; and (b) a plurality of elongated signalling elements, each element having a longitudinally terminal portion secured to said ridge and frictionally connected thereto, and a free terminal portion,

(1) said element being movable between an inoperative position in which said free terminal portion is adjacent said ridge and projects therefrom, and an operative position in which said free terminal portion is spaced from said ridge and said inoperative position in a direction away from said plane of support,

(2) the friction between said terminal portionof said signalling element and said ridge being sufficient to maintain said free portion in said positions thereof against the force of gravity.

. 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ridge is formed with a plurality of openings between the edge portions constituting said ridge, each element being longitudinally slidable in a respective opening toward and away from said plane of support between said positions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Parker Oct. 16, Bubeck Aug. 6, Kuhn Feb. 5, Stein July 31, Whitaker i an. 8, McClease Dec. 12, Nelson Oct. 2,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 7, Belgium Sept. 16, France Dec. 23, Germany Oct. 1, 

1. A SIGNALLING DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A SUPPORT MEMBER OF SHEET MATERIAL HAVING TWO RIGIDLY CONNECTED PARTS, (1) EACH PART HAVING TWO EDGE PORTIONS ELONGATED A CORRESPONDING EDGE PORTION OF THE OTHER PART (2) ONE EDGE PORTION OF EACH PART BEING JOINED TO A CORRESPONDING EDGE PORTION OF THE OTHER PART TO CONSTITUTE AN ELONGATGED RIDGE THEREWITH, (3) THE RESPECTIVE OTHER EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID PARTS BEING SPACED APART IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE OF THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION THEREOF AND JOINTLY DEFINING A PLANE A SUPPORT EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION OF SAID RIDGE; AND (B) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED SIGNALLING ELEMENTS, EACH ELEMENT HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY TERMINAL PORTION SECURED TO SAID RIDGE AND FRICTIONALLY CONNECTED THERETO, AND A FREE TERMINAL PORTION, (1) SAID ELEMENT BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION IN WHICH SAID FREE TERMINAL PORTION IS ADJACENT SAID RIDGE AND PROJECTS THEREFROM, AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN WHICH SAID FREE TERMINAL PORTION IN SPACED FROM SAID RIDGE AND SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID PLANE OF SUPPORT. (2) THE FRICTION BETWEEN SAID TERMINAL PORTION OF SAID SIGNALLING ELEMENT AND SAID RIDGE BEING SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN SAID FREE PORTION IN SAID POSITIONS THEREOF AGAINST THE FORCE OF GRAVITY. 